Shashi Tharoor stunned by 16-year-old AI ‘tech whiz’, shares about encounter that left him ‘illuminated’

In an X post, Shashi Tharoor said he was stunned to learn that Raul, along with his team, which includes a friend named Ishaan (Image source: @ShashiTharoor/X)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shared about an unexpected and memorable encounter with a 16-year-old tech enthusiast while his journey aboard a Vande Bharat Express. Tharoor described his conversation with a teenage artificial intelligence (AI) developer as “rarely this illuminating.”

In a post on X, Tharoor introduced Raul John Aju as a “tech whiz” engaged in “incredible work” in the AI space. During their interaction, the two discussed the importance of developing artificial intelligence systems that go beyond national boundaries while also embracing India’s vast linguistic diversity. “We spoke about the necessity for AI to transcend borders and, crucially, to speak the vernacular of our diverse land,” Tharoor wrote.

He added that he was stunned to learn that Aju, along with his team, which includes a friend named Ishaan, is already working on voice-processing technologies in Malayalam, Hindi and Urdu. “It was heartening to learn that Aju and his team (including a friend named Ishaan—a name that certainly rings a bell in my household!) are already building systems capable of voice processing in Malayalam, Hindi, and Urdu,” he added.

Describing the moment as deeply encouraging, Tharoor said the creativity and ambition demonstrated by young innovators like Aju filled him with confidence about the country’s future. “Witnessing such ingenuity and drive in our youth gives me immense hope for India’s technological future. Wishing Raul and his team every success. It is young minds like his that will define India’s 21st-century growth story,” Tharoor concluded.

Encounters on the Vande Bharat are often pleasant, but rarely this illuminating!

​I had the pleasure of meeting Raul John Aju, a 16-year-old tech whiz who is doing incredible work in the field of Artificial Intelligence. We spoke about the necessity for AI to transcend borders… pic.twitter.com/xyaUfPgrkk

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 7, 2026

The post has since gone viral, prompting several reactions, with one commenting, “This is encouraging to see. Building AI that understands local languages is where real impact lies. Talent this young working on practical problems is a strong signal for what comes next.”

Another user wrote, “Great .. travelling in public transports, being at ground will certainly give benefit to all leaders to understand issues and aspirations of their voters.”

“It is indeed heartening to see Gen Alpha thinking of transcending borders. Thinking of reaching out to the vernacular. The shadows of the English language are indeed fading,” a third user reacted.